Resignation of the Seabed Minerals Commissioner

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) regretfully announces the resignation of Alex Herman as Seabed Minerals Commissioner, marking the conclusion of an impactful chapter in SBMA’s history.

SBMA Release: Strengthening Ties Through Seabed Minerals Consultations with New Zealand Communities

The Cook Islands Government, led by Prime Minister Honourable Mark Brown, recently completed a week-long series of consultations with Cook Islands communities across New Zealand. The delegation visited Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Tokoroa, sharing updates on the development of the Seabed Minerals (SBM) sector and fostering meaningful dialogue with the Cook Islands diaspora.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi25 November 2024Cook Islands, SBMA, Seabed Minerals, Community Consultations, Diaspora Engagement, Sustainable Development, Marae Moana, Diaspora Connections, Building Together

Roadshow not consultation

Non-government organisations are frustrated with the Cook Islands government seabed mineral consultations that are being held in New Zealand, calling for a 10-year moratorium to allow for independent research and capacity building within the Cook Islands.

CI NEWSDede Mingi22 November 2024Seabed Mining, Cook Islands Environment, 10-Year Moratorium, NGO Opposition, Korero o te Orau, Te Ipukarea Society, Deep Sea Mining Debate, Precautionary Approach, Sustainable Development, Greenwashing Concerns, Transparency In Government

Cooks diaspora consultations in New Zealand

This week’s Cook Islands diaspora consultations in New Zealand have amounted to a shotgun approach to current affairs covering a variety of topics of national importance. Prime Minister Mark Brown and his delegation spoke on seabed minerals exploration, the 60 years of self-governance anniversary next year, and the future of the nation.

CI NEWSDede Mingi21 November 2024Cook Islands Diaspora, Seabed Minerals Exploration, Sustainable Development, Environmental Protection, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Cook Islands EEZ, Nodule Harvesting, Cobalt Resources, Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), Cook Islands Governance, Public Engagement

Govt consultation ‘misleading’

The government-led seabed mining consultation held on Monday night with the Cook Islands community in Auckland has come under fire for what critics have described as a "one-sided consultation" filled with "misleading information."

CI NEWSDede Mingi20 November 2024Cook Islands, Sustainable Development, Environmental Advocacy, Seabed Mining, Community Consultations, Youth Engagement

Cook Islands Prime Minister to Engage New Zealand Diaspora on Cultural Pride and Sustainable Development

The Cook Islands Government, led by Prime Minister Honourable Mark Brown, is set to engage with Cook Islands communities across New Zealand from November 18 to 22 in a week-long Diaspora Consultation. These consultations, organised by the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Cook Islands New Zealand High Commission, with the aim to update the diaspora on important national developments, including progress in the seabed minerals sector and the Cook Islands’ upcoming 60th anniversary of self-governance in 2025.

Joint ReleaseDede Mingi14 November 2024Cook Islands, New Zealand, Consultations, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Seabed Minerals, Sustainable Development, Diaspora Engagement, Cook Islands 60th Anniversary, Community Consultations, Environmental Stewardship, Cultural Pride, Pacific Sustainability, Cook Islands Heritage, Empowering Our People, Cook Islands Global Community, Seabed Minerals Authority, Strengthening Our Future

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority Participates in the AELERT – INECE 2024 Global Summit on Implementing and Enforcing Environmental Law

Representatives from the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) recently attended the AELERT – INECE 2024 Global Summit on Implementing and Enforcing Environmental Law in Brisbane, Australia, from November 6th - 8th. This summit convened leaders and experts from various regulatory fields to discuss advancements in law enforcement and compliance practices.

Seabed Minerals Exploration Updates

We are committed to sustainably and responsibly developing our seabed minerals (SBM) sector for the benefit of our Cook Islands people. In line with the precautionary approach, any future decision on whether or not we will allow minerals harvesting to occur must be science based.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi2 November 2024Seabed Minerals, Cook Islands, Sustainable Development, Ocean Conservation, Marine Protection, Environmental Stewardship, Clean Energy, Marae Moana, Responsible Mining, Exploration, Deep Sea Research, Future Generations, Economic Diversification, Science Based, Community Engagement, Knowledge Advancement, SBM

Deep ocean groundings

Journalist Rachel Reeves shares insights and revelations from this week’s Deep Sea Symposium hosted by the Cook Islands Centre For Research (Te Puna Vai Marama).

CI NEWSDede Mingi2 November 2024Deep Sea Syposium, Cook islands, Deep Sea Mining, Environmental Impact, Marine Science, Sustainable Development, Indigenous Knowledge, Polymetallic Nodules, Cultural Heritage, Climate Change, Economic Analysis, Marine Conservation, Scientific Research, Ocean Governance, Community Engagement, Sustainable Practices

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